COVID-19: Restrictions tightened in Kashmir; SOPs implemented strictly in Red Zones  

Srinagar, Apr 15 : Restrictions on movement and assembly of people have been further intensified to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in Kashmir valley, where Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including 100 per cent lockdown and closure of all access points with removable barriers, have been strictly imposed in Red Zone areas.

Meanwhile, the lockdown to prevent the spread of Coronavirus has entered 27^th day on Wednesday in the valley, where an aggressive sampling process has been launched in all the districts with an aim to take 800 samples per day.

Asserting that with no major spurt in the last four days and 94 per cent tests coming negative, all efforts have paid well in Srinagar, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said that ‘people need to be a little more patient as we enter second phase of our fight against Coronavirus’.

He said administration is trying its best to ensure people in Red Zones have no inconvenience, but no chances can be taken.

Officials said the security forces have sealed off main roads in most places in the valley and erected barriers at other places to check the unwanted movement of people. “All roads leading to areas, which were declared as ‘Red Zones’ after several COVID-19 positive cases surfaced from there, have been completely sealed,” they said.

They said restrictions have also been intensified in other areas of the valley as well in view of upward spiral of COVID-19 cases during the last two weeks. “Strict action will be taken against people found violating lockdown,” they said, adding only persons with valid passes were allowed to move.

The development comes a day after Jammu and Kashmir Government issued guidelines (SOPs) to be followed in the areas declared as COVID-19 “Red Zones” in the Union Territory for delivery of essential supplies, services and to curb the spread of community transmission by enforcing restrictions already imposed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The total number of Coronavirus cases has risen to 278 in the Union Territory of J&K with eight more people testing positive for the infection on Tuesday in the valley. Meanwhile, the infection has so far claimed three lives in the valley, where 21 COVID-19 patients have been treated successfully.

Shops and business establishments remained closed while streets were deserted due to strict restrictions imposed by authorities to curtail the spread of Coronavirus in the valley, where so far over 740 people have been arrested and several shops have been sealed to violate the lockdown order since March 31. Police vehicles fitted with public address system were directing people since early this morning to remain indoors in view of imposition of restrictions under 144 CrPc, barring assembly of more than three people.

The streets in uptown and civil lines were deserted as shops and business establishment were closed and traffic was off the roads. Security forces were deployed in these areas, where people alleged that security personnel were not allowing them to move out of their houses. Similar situation was witnessed in downtown, where people also alleged that they were not allowed to move out of their houses even to buy groceries and vegetables.

The main roads in downtown and SeK remained closed with barbed wires at Nawa Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Kawdara and Khanyar. Similar road blocks remained erected by security forces at Nowhatta, Rangar stop and Gojwara.

All educations institutes, including schools, colleges and universities, remained closed in the valley, where train services and public transport were suspended. However, despite government asserting that arrangements would be made for online classes for children no such arrangement has been made so far even as high speed internet service remained suspended since August 5, when special status of J&K was scrapped.

Similar reports of lockdown were received from other parts of the valley, including Kupwara and Baramulla in north, Budagm and Ganderbal in central and Anantnag, Pulwama Kulgam in south Kashmir.

The Red Zone will see a 100 per cent lockdown and shall be completely sealed for any movement across its boundaries, an official said, adding no outward or inward movement would be allowed.

“As far as possible, there shall be only one opening to the red zone to be manned by Naka party and Magistrate. Stickers indicating Red Zone would be present at the point of entry / exit.  The only movement across the red zone boundaries would be for supplies (medical, grocery, vegetables), medical emergencies, fumigation/sanitation, and enforcement/survey personnel,” he said.

“All entry and exit to the zone would be with red zone passes and proper fumigation of vehicles, safety of personnel and safety tunnels. Surrounding villages/ habitations will be declared as Buffer Zones,” he said, adding there would be a 100 per cent survey and screening of all persons in the red zone.

Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Samir Mattoo on Tuesday said that an aggressive sampling process has been launched in all the districts across Kashmir division, stating that Directorate was aiming to take 800 samples per day.

“The process will provide a big relief to the COVID-19 patients and we will also be able to provide rapid response in their treatment,” Dr Mattoo said.

He said that after Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) trained 157 Lab technicians from all Valley districts, the sample collection across the province has risen significantly in the last five days.

“It has enormously decreased the burden of shifting of suspects to CD hospital and SKIMS for testing,” he said, adding “Special Collection booths have been set up for the safety of healthcare workers wherein trained technicians with proper protection suits scientifically take the samples, preserve them and send them in COVID-19 designated ambulances for testing.”